Data recovery

I deleted a config file by mistake. I could not restart my window unless I had to repair some of the files as was suggested in the message.

I inserted the recovery disk and when it was done, my complete data was lost, everything.

1. I remember before I recover the system, my C: drive had used approx. 40% of it size. The same percentage still showing after the system was restored.

2. When I go to safe mode, I see one of my pictures in the HP administrator or user. When I double click on that, there is no trail for non of my records.

3. I did search in my hard drive for few of know files I had, non showed up.

4. Two of my very old received faxes showed in my fax folder, but all the rest were deleted.


Are my files still exist in my computer?
How do I retrieve them? or did I wipe everything??

Thanks for your help

Did you use an actual Windows XP install disk to recover? Or a hp recovery disk? Does the disk say HP recovery disk? This makes a difference!

As long as your drive was not formatted, most, if not all files should still be there?
Where do you store your files? Under My documents? or in another directory that you have made? What types of files are you storing? After you did the restore did you have to enter a new user name? Did you do a restore or repair?

Try this:
Double click on "My Computer", double click on "C drive", then click "Documents and settings" you should hopefully see 2 folders. 1 with the name of your computers user, the other will be called "Default User"
Now if your see a third fold your file could be there. The folder should be a user name on the computer from before the restore/repair. Double click it and look for "My Documents" Double click it and your files should be there. Simply copy them to your current "My Documents" file.

This will only work if you used the the actual Windows XP disk.

Get back to me with these answers!

Rumas

I have used HP recovery disk.

I usually store all my files in my document. No other directory was used to store files, only my document.

Most of my files are excell files and word processor.

After the resore, I just named my computer as my name, but did not ask me for user name.

I did use recovery disk, not restore.

When I click my document, there are four folders:
Administrator, all users, guest, HP-administrator.
All have my document, but non have any of my information.

HP or any computer manufacturers restore disk, will restore your computer to the way it was when you first started it up on the day you got it!

I suggest you store your files in at least 2 locations in the future. Not on the same drive. Burn the files once a month. Buy a rewritable CD and update the files when needed and you will never be in the situation again. If your hard drive fails or you make a mistake....you have your back up!

Furthermore:
Try this free undelete program here: http://www.officerecovery.com/freeundelete/

Or you could buy an undelete program, Look here:
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/downloads/undelete_program_software/

Right now DO NOT save anything to your computer. As writing any files to your hard drive now will copy on the sections of the hard drive which contain the files the have been deleted.

If none of this works I am afraid you lost your files!!!

On the other hand:
There are services which specialize in recovering data. But then your data would have to be extremely important. Be prepared to open your wallet and fork out a ton of cash. $350 USD and up!

Look here for that: https://gillware.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=703f359d694f58b5d95f6d11822ea112

Remember:
Back up your data!

The free program you suggested did not find my files. I used "recover my files" software and found all my files, some were corrupted, but found all my excel, word, pictures and others.
I have to purchase the software in order to safe them.

THANKS for your help.

I am going to restore my computer to its original setting. Could you tell me please what is the best way to do that, with great appreciation.

I am happy you found your files!
Not much you can do about your settings, unless you have a backup of your registry. The registry file stores 99% of your settings. When you used the HP restore disk it would have replaced your registry file.

Good luck.